HawaiiWood

Congratulations to the ‘Lost’ producers for their
multiple Emmy awards

Lostwins six awards at the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards! The event was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Producer J.J. Abrams captured the “Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series.” Congrats to Damon Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Carlton Cuse, Jack Bender, David Fury, Jesse Alexander, Javier GrilloMarxuach, Sarah Caplan, Leonard Dick, Jean Higgins and show co-creator Jeff Lieber! The other huge win was in the Outstanding Drama Series. Lostbeat out some heady competitors in 24, Deadwood, Six Feet Underand The West Wingfor the trophy! ... Stuntman Georgy Kao was born in Taipei, Taiwan and raised in Columbia, S.C. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in film, then moved to Hollywood to pursue acting. Georgy’s worked with Kiefer Sutherland in 24 and Dennis Franz in NYPD Blue. Georgy is married to a Kailua girl, Jody Cosgrove-Kao, an Iolani graduate. I met Georgy on the set of 50 First Datesand we both remember how gracious Adam Sandler was ... Seen and heard in the audience at the Lostscreening were film industry veterans Brenda Ching, Marilyn Killeri, Charlene Kwak and Chuck Boller. Mayor Mufi Hannemann opened the evening with a rousing speech. Also spotted enjoying the evening were actors Sean D, Lew Lappert, Steve Tanizaki, Larry Wiss, Pat Bentley, Melynn McWilliams and Jean Simon. Kudos to Mona Wood of Ikaika Communications for a fantastic display of organization! ... Actress Aria Arari got her break literally - in The Break by John Stockwell. She played a pistol-packin’convenience store owner. Wahiawa doubled for icy Detroit in winter. Now that’s kudos for Hawaii locations crew! She was recently traveling through Afghanistan to do research for her documentary. Aria left Afghanistan when she was a child, and after 23 years she was able to see her homeland. Hawaii is her home now. Her recent credits include appearances on Lost, Hawaii and North Shore. She also produced the TV show on ‘Olelo called World Music Entertainment, showing music videos from different countries. She enjoys Afghan and Japanese food. Her life story is definitely movie material. I can see Salma Hayek in the lead role as Aria ... Caught up with actor Bryan Sato at the second season premiere of Lostat Sunset on the Beach. He works as a stand-in for Daniel Dae Kim on the show. Bryan is featured on the current McDonald’s spot as the “engine guy.” He was cast in recent national Campbell’s Soup and local Japan Travel Bureau commercials. Bryan loves Steven Spielberg and George Lucas movies - who doesn’t, right? After watching Star Warsat the old Kapiolani Theater at age 12, Bryan knew he wanted to be an actor. His goals are lofty, but his drive and dedication to his craft will come to fruition. Stay tuned for more on this talented young actor ... Filmmaker Tommy Takemoto-Chock has already accomplished so much in the industry. He graduated from Waiakea High School and currently attends UH-Manoa as a sophomore. His most recent work is a TV spot for Scion, which he wrote and directed. Title of the spot is “Scion by Tommy, Shot Designer.”

Actress Aria Arari with Mavis Leno, wife of Jay Leno

He strives to follow in the footsteps of Francis Ford Coppola, Stanley Kubrick and Akira Kurosawa. Tommy was the editor-in-chief of Hot Lava, Cool Rain magazine during his teens. He’s one of the upcoming talent currently at the Academy of Creative Media at UH. The future of Hawaii film-making has no limits with Tommy leading the way ... Congratulations to visual effects master Archie Ahuna for his Emmy win in the Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series category! Archie’s team members includes his wife, Fern Ahuna, Bo Ulii, Gary McEnroe, Charlie Raymond and Michael Sua. The recognition is long overdue, and I’m very happy for Archie and for all the professional crew in Hawaii. He started his pyrotechnics company in the early ‘80s and is very much in demand. I can only imagine what incredible effects Archie has in store for us this season on Lost...